Now Playing In Japan

Followers of gaming on the other side of the water might also want to check out today's story on the quirkier side of PlayStation 2 - it's right on the main page in the news section, or you could just click here.

Metal Gear Solid 2

Konami recently updated all of their release dates and Metal Gear Solid 2 is set for a TBA 2001 release. Earlier Hideo Kojima had said that he would like to release the game next Fall, so that is still a possibility. Hmmm... Metal Gear Solid 2 vs. Final Fantasy XI. In the words of IGN64 editor Fran Mirabella, "WOW!"

Z.O.E.

Not to be outdone, Kojima's other project, Z.O.E., is coming sooner than you may think. It has been given an ACTUAL release date of February 1, 2001. All together now... "Please don't be delayed. Please don't be delayed."

Yet more Konami news

I almost forgot that Konami announced other games besides MGS and Z.O.E., like the endless Beat/Drum/Keyboard/Guitar Mania, Winning Eleven and Jikkyou Pro titles that come out every other month. Seriously though, Konami has some good-looking titles coming down the pipe and they're worth a look. Unfortunately, no mention of a Castlevania, but a new Goemon title was announced. Here is the list of Konami's upcoming titles.

[Editor's note: I cannot WAIT to see the home controller for Para Para Paradise.]

EA Sports invades Japan!

Last week, Now Playing mentioned the possibility of Madden coming to Japanese PS2s. This week, Famitsu featured a big spread on three EA Sports titles: FIFA 2001, NBA Live 2001 and Madden 2001. In an effort to increase awareness about the title (you can probably count the number of Japanese people who know who John Madden is on one hand), the Japanese title will be Madden 2001 Superbowl. Unfortunately, Madden is now set for a January 2001 release, with NBA Live 2001 following in February. The new version of FIFA has been given an exact release date - December 7th. Hopefully, by that time, the US PS2 situation will have straightened itself out, but if not, it's nice to know that EA Sports will be "in the game" even in Japan.

Imagineer is bringing 3DO's popular RPG series to Japanese PS2s this winter using the DVD-ROM format. The game is based on M&M VIII from the PC. It allows for 360-degree scrolling of the screen in what appears to be an Eternal Ring/King's Field-type first person perspective. The game is also compatible with Sony's upcoming popegg printer, which will allow you to print out your favorite screens from the game. There are 8 character classes to choose from including knight, troll, cleric, necromancer, minotaurus, dark elf, vampire and dragon, although you are unable to choose dragon from the start of the game. Like most RPGs, you start off by yourself and your party eventually grows, up to a max of 5 people. Due to the perspective, all movement and battles will be done in realtime

F-1 Racing Championship

Ubi Soft is bringing its F-1 racing series to the PS2. Thanks to the hardware, the car models are looking good and the physics are said to be right on as well. Of course, the game will use real drivers and cars and even features a racing tactics session with former Japanese F1 driver Ukyou Katayama. There will be your typical modes, including Arcade, Grand Prix, Time Attack, and Championship, as well as Driving School, where you can learn the tricks of F1 racing to help prepare you for the race. In addition, there will also be a Scenario mode, which is similar to things like the Madden Superbowl Challenge, where you are given a situation from an actual 1999 race and must attempt to recreate or perhaps alter what really happened. This isn't just limited to "try and make this guy win the race." In one situation, you take the role of one driver and must pass a certain other driver within three laps. In order to play this Scenario mode, you'll have to first unlock it through the Arcade mode. F-1 Racing Championship is scheduled for release around New Year's, which happens to be the same time as Gran Turismo 3. However, this game looks to be a solid title for fans who prefer F-1 racing.

Recommended title of the week 11/6-11/12

This has got to be the worst week ever for PS/PS2 software. A total of four games will be released, all of them for the PS. Fortunately, one of them is a good one. Namco finally gives PS owners an answer to Mario Tennis 64 and Virtua Tennis in the form of Smash Court 3, a light-hearted tennis game that features the multiplayer support and mini-games needed to succeed with today's tennis gaming fans. While it may not be as high-quality as Sega and Nintendo's offerings, it remains a solid title and is worth picking up.

Famitsu Top Ten 10/16-10/22

1. Perfect Dark

N64

34,912

NEW

2. Dragon Quest VII

PS

21,429

3,665,731

3. MotoGP

PS2

21,077

75,639

4. Rockman X Cyber Mission

GB

15,312

NEW

5. Mysterious Dungeon

N64

12,533

175,369

6. World Soccer Jikkyou Winning Eleven 2000

PS

9,665

299,286

7. Mario Tennis 64

N64

8,448

617,840

8. Yu-gi-oh Dual Monsters III

GB

8,137

677,257

9. Korokoro Kirby

GB

7,802

390,574

10. Dino Crisis 2

PS

7,788

239,376

Release dates update

The constantly delayed Hoshigami: Ruining Blue Earth from MaxFive has been delayed yet again, this time to a TBA 2000 release. It had been scheduled for Nov. 2000.

In what appears to be a growing trend (see the EA Sports story above), US-developed (or announced first in the US) PS2 titles seem to be making the journey across the Pacific. Here are some of the more notable ones.